Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Every Squirrel Nut Zippers album stands by itself, telling a different story, and writing the soundtrack for a movie never made. The Inevitable told the story of big band jazz of the 20s. Hot depicted New Orleans hot jazz at its finest. Perennial Favorites weaved the tale of different genres of music coming together to form one sound. And now, we have Bedlam Ballroom. This album, in my opinion, is the Squirrel Nut Zippers' best effort to tap into the mainstream jazz genre. You people can decide if that's bad or good. Personally, I choose the latter. Why, you ask? Because the Squirrel Nut Zippers can appeal to anyone even remotely interested in the jazz genre and still retain some wild and eccentric attitudes. Just look at "Ghost of Stephen Foster" from Perennial Favorites. It was a wild and crazy song with band members screaming at the end of the song...and the music video won an award! (By the way, you can see the video and its storyboards on the limited edition version of this CD.) Every cut, every beat, every audible sound is milked for all its worth. From the wild and wacky "Do What?" to the soothing lullaby, "Hush", Bedlam Ballroom is pure Zipper fun! Bedlam Ballroom is also the first Zipper album minus member Tom Maxwell, who was involved in the Squirrel Nut Zippers since their first album. I personally think that Tom Maxwell was a significant part of Zipper music, but this album is evidence that the Zippers are doing okay without him. Bedlam Ballroom is also a tribute to the late Stacy Guess, the trumpet player for The Inevitable. He personally wrote the title track and, even though there is a better version on the Zippers' EP Sold Out, the version on this album is pretty good. This album is also a place where the Zippers can show off their talents in other music genres.Read more ›

I was a little wary about "Bedlam Ballroom," mainly because of the absense of some of the original Zippers members (Tom Maxwell and Ken Mosher.) However, my worries were set aside once I actually listened to the album. There are some notable differences in the band's sounds as compared to their previous album, but it still has that Zipper-ful heart. In all, "Bedlam Ballroom" is fun, and definitely worth a listen, whether you're a hardcore fan or a curious stranger.

The Squirrel Nut Zippers were the first and best of the swing revival of the late nineties. And with the release of Bedlam Ballroom, they live to outlast their would-be contemporaries. They're in peak form here. Despite the radio success of "Hell," from their sophomore effort Hot, the album as a whole did not live up to the promise and perfection of 1995's The Inevitable. 1998's Perrenial Favorites improved on that promise, and Bedlam Ballroom finally gets around to delivering on every promise ever made.The premier strength and selling point for the Zippers has always been their authenticity. They're not a band trying to sound like they're from the 1920's. These cats are the 1920's incarnate. Mathus' writing has never been better, has never been hipper. Bedlam Ballroom is more flat-out fun than any of their prior releases, with cuts such as "Do What?" and "Stop Drop & Roll" just begging you to get out of your chair and dance around. And, of course, Katherine Whalen's vocals remain at the top of today's jazz-chicks, in a league with the likes of Diana Krall and Lisa Ekdahl.It almost seems as though the Squirrel Nut Zippers made this album just for the fans. It's everything we might have come to expect, and more. One final addendum: of particular note on this album is the inclusion of the late Stacy Guess's "Bedlam Ballroom," a rerecording of a track from their Sold Out EP, and a fitting tribute to a departed friend.

OK, I admit it, I'm not very objective when it comes to all things Zipper. But to anyone critical of this album, I would say, just Zip it. These guys are the most creative, original -- and I would add nicest -- band touring today. At a recent show in Washington DC, they closed the show marching band style, moving into the audience and out into the street while mixing easily with fans and signing autographs. I have the set list and signitures to prove it. I love the fact that Katharine Whalen takes center stage on this album. She is one of the most amazing talents in music today and tunes like Hush, Bent Out of Shape, and It All Depends show off her unique style. As for those longing for the signiture SNZ sound, Don't Fix It, Bedbugs, and Do it this Way should be ample reward for buying this CD. I suggest anyone considering this work also get Katharine Whalen's Jazz Squad or The Inevitable Squirrel Nut Zippers to better understand where this band has been, and put this effort in context. Thanks, Zippers for some of my all time favorite music.